Location: Batavia, Illinois
Mileage: 22,417
Price: Auction-No Reserve!
One of my first experiences of seeing a sportbike on screen that left an impression was, of course, Top Gun. Well, this isn’t that bike (Ninja GPz 900R) but it sure takes me back. I think we all know what the Ninja meant to the evolution of the sportbike in America. So maybe it wasn’t the impact that the GSX-R 750 delivered upon release, but the brand Ninja was synonymous with sport motorcycles. For me, this bike is a thing of beauty, not because it was the most aggressive bike of the time, but because of the history it represents. And I think it’s just stone-cold good looking.
This appears to be a very clean, well cared for example that the seller claims runs well to this day. More from the seller:
OWN A PIECE OF SPORT BIKE HISTORY – 1986, the market for 750cc sport bikes was extremely competitive. Suzuki’s GSX-R750, Yamaha’s FZ750, and Honda’s VFR750 were all awesome machines. Bigger-displacement bikes had a dispensation to go porky, so the 750cc class was the thing.
Kawasaki decided they had enough hardcore sport bikes (Ninja 600, 900, 1000) and made what today would be called a sport-tourer. With higher bars and lower pegs than your typical race-rep, the 750R was comfortable for long hauls and low-speed errands, while giving up little on the sport end of things. Cycle World chose it as “best 750cc street bike” for 1987 and 1988.
While aluminum beam and perimeter frames had become the rage by the late ’80s, Kawasaki chose to use a steel cradle for the 750R. They claimed their steel frame was actually lighter than competitive aluminum designs. This did make it harder for feature-obsessed moto journalists to get fired up over the bike. It was obligatory in the reviews of the day to apologize for the steel frame, as the Kawi was the only bike in its class still using one.
The 750R engine was all-new. This gave Kawasaki the ability to make it lighter and smaller than other 750 mills, without skimping on power. Putting out about 85hp at the rear wheel (you will see some reviews mention the claimed crank output of 106hp), it was at the top of the class. This motor formed the basis for the hardcore sporting ZX-7 which came along in 1989 and which eventually led to the ZX-7RR racing superbike.
It’s hard to beat the 750R if you can find one. For a mix of sport riding and tamer riding — including long-distance, two-up, or commuting — it’s excellent. In terms of flexibility it often compares to present-day bikes like the Honda VFR, Yamaha YZF 600R, and Kawasaki’s own ZX-6E.
This bike is in great condition. Never wrecked or downed. Few scratches on lower right side fender. Also crack on handle bar cover-there are a few on sale on ebay if your looking to replace it. Bike runs great and was out a few days ago.
Plenty more pics:
As the seller highlights, probably the biggest criticism of the bike at the time would have been the steel frame in an era when the twin spar aluminum frame was coming on. It was also more a sport tourer that a true sportbike. But a claimed 106 horsepower at the crank meant it was no slouch either.
The only outstanding thing I noticed in the pictures are a couple of extra holes in the front fairing that don’t seem to appear in stock photos. You may want to investigate that further. But if this bike speaks to you then !
-RN
